Richard rested on the bed; he placed the pillow on his head and groaned, being forced to listen to the classical music from down below. The music was slightly muffled, but still loud enough for it to ring in his eardrums, pounding the sounds and showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. It had been going on for days now, but he still hadn’t gotten used to the insipid noise, or had any time to think for himself.

Richard looked back at the windows, the rain pouring down harder than ever before. Going out to clear his head wasn’t an option anymore. He stared at the ceiling, pondering over what to do, when he came up with an idea.

Richard took the bell from the dresser next to his bed and rang it multiple times, calling for the butler to show up. After some time had passed, the door knocked as it opened, and Gerald walked inside, carrying a small tray with grape gingerbread.

“You called me sir?” Gerald inquired. “Did you want some snacks?”

“Well, I’m not hungry,” Richard muttered.

“Then what’s the matter? What can I do for you?”

“Could you tell those guys down there to stop playing?”

“I’m afraid I cannot.” Gerald set the tray aside on the dresser and sighed. “Reginald needs to prepare for the party this weekend, not to mention the talent show tomorrow after school.”

“Joy.” Richard said in bitter sarcasm as his shoulders slumped.

“So, got an idea on what you’ll do at the talent show?” Gerald sat beside the bed.

“Yeah, of course. In fact, I’m pretty confident I’ll beat Reginald at the talent show!” Richard pounded his chest and grinned. His smile faded as he looked down on his pillow. “I don’t want to attend the party this weekend, though.”

“Why not?”

“Because everyone that’ll be there will be busy, but I won’t have anyone to hang out with…” He scratched his chin and glanced at the butler. “Unless you can play with me.”

“What? But I have close friends from other mansions I planned on— wait, don’t you have any friends—”

“Play. With. Me.” He demanded.

Gerald sighed. “Oh, alright.”

“Hooray! I still have to go to school though.”

“You can do it, sir.”

“If you say so...”

“Good night.”

Just as Gerald was about to leave the room, Richard called out to him. “Hey, wait, is he not going to say goodnight to me?”

“Not right now, I’m afraid,” Gerald replied. Richard looked down on the bedsheets. The butler walked over and placed a hand on the young master’s red curly hair. “Look, your father may be stubborn, but he means well.” He made a confident smile at the boy. “Trust me.”

.-.-.-.

The next day, Gerald drove in the limousine and escorted Reginald and Richard to the school grounds. He waved to the two as they headed towards the school, also mentioning that he and their father will show up for the talent show later this afternoon.

As Reginald greeted everyone he came across with warm smiles, Richard kept thinking about what Gerald told him before. Did he mean what he said or was he trying to save face for the man that gives him good pay? The school bell rang, snapping him out of his thoughts. Richard panicked and made a bolt to the classroom, barely making it on time.

The teacher told everyone to meet up in the gymnasium, as changes in the talent show’s locations had to change due to the weather conditions outside. As everyone huddled up in groups, the supervisor also proclaimed that they’ll do their class and prepare for the talent show next door in the auditorium, therefore killing two birds with one stone.

“Now then, before we get started, why don’t we do some exercise?” The teacher suggested. “And by we, I mean all of you.”

“Seriously?” One student complained.

“Now, now, because this was my idea of taking a class here, I don’t want to get in trouble for not teaching you anything.” The teacher mentioned. “After all, you’re not small children anymore.”

I don’t mind. Richard thought.

Despite being born in this position, he’d much rather do activities like these as opposed to something boring like playing the piano and entertaining complete strangers.

“Don’t worry; I don’t mind.” Reginald acknowledged. “I think you’re doing a magnificent job as a teacher.”

The teacher scratched the back of her head and laughed sheepishly at the remark. “Oh Reginald, I don’t know what to say, thank you.”

Richard rolled his eyes at his younger brother being a suck-up again. Didn’t Reginald know the age differences between himself and a teacher? He probably didn’t care, as long as he got anybody in his good graces.

Once the supervisor got back everyone’s attention, she pointed at the center and surrounding walls.

“Ok, just do some laps around the gym then come back and talk to me when you finish. When you’re done, change your clothes in the locker room and head to the auditorium to practice for tonight’s talent show.”

Heh, that'll be a piece of cake. Richard thought to himself.

“Now remember, this is not a race, so take your time.” The teacher reminded them.

Soon, everyone got to jogging and walking around the center area of the gym, chatting. Richard wasted no time and ran around the inner walls, passing by the others despite the teacher’s warnings earlier.

When he passed Reginald, Richard glanced over with a smirk to see how his brother would react. However, Reginald didn’t pay any attention to him as he talked to a close friend of his instead. Richard gritted his teeth over the dissatisfaction but still pressed on, determined to beat Reginald at the ‘race’ and talent show.

Reginald yawned as he trudged along the floorboards.

How many more laps?

He’d rather not exert all of his energy so soon, especially before the grand show. Reginald had a hard time sleeping last night, he got too excited about today. He had to create the best performance ever, with no slouches, or mistakes.

Reginald wanted everyone to acknowledge his hard work and be proud of what he can accomplish. He certainly wouldn’t let his arrogant older brother impede or get under his skin. He had to keep his composure at all times, but it proved to be challenging when exhaustion crept up on him.

“Hey, are you alright?” A friend of his asked, bringing him back to reality.

“Oh, yeah, I think so.” Reginald looked down at some red spots on his legs as he carried them across the floor.

“You should see a doctor.”

“No, I’ll be alright. I don’t mean to rush, especially before the upcoming show, which is why I’m not giving this jogging a hundred percent.”

“Is that so?”